FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Semi Final - Argentina v New Zealand - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 20, 2023 New Zealand's Beauden Barrett prepares to kick off the second half REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
LONDON (Reuters) -Beauden Barrett will start at flyhalf for New Zealand against England on Saturday, linking up with brother Jordie in a 10-12 combination for the first time in a Test, as the All Blacks return to full strength at the start of their November tour.
Beauden Barrett reclaims the 10 jersey from Damian McKenzie, who had been first choice in almost all coach Scott Robertson’s games this year, including the two July wins over England, before Barrett stepped in the for the final Rugby Championship game against Australia.
McKenzie, who started in a largely experimental side that hammered Japan last week, is on the bench on Saturday.
"It's the first time I've been outside Beaudy in a black jersey so that's exciting, said Jordie, who is returning after a six-week knee injury absence. "I'd like to think we're a good combination and that we can trust each other."
Robertson said that the selection was partly based on 131-capped Beauden's experience of northern hemisphere rugby. "He understands how to win here, but he's also very instinctive," he said of the 33-year-old who was an impressive impact replacement in both July wins over England.
"Whether that's out of his hands, off his boot or with his game management. He knows how to get you around the field."
The third Barrett, Scott, will captain the side from the second row.
Cortez Ratima starts at scrumhalf with Cam Roigard, who played his first test of the year against Japan after injury, covering from the bench.
With injuries depriving Robertson of several back-row options, Sam Cane starts at openside, with Wallace Sititi at six and the peerless Ardie Savea at number eight.
Mark Tele’a comes in for Sevu Reece on the right wing and Tamaiti Williams is at loosehead prop after Ethan de Groot was not considered for selection due to what Robertson described as "a failure to meet internal standards."
The All Blacks also face Ireland, France and Italy on this tour and Robertson feels well-prepared for the challenge after a long run of games having taken over after last year's World Cup.
"It's a tour that's taking us to some of the top teams in the world," he said. "We've learned a lot, particularly in regard to opportunities we created by not finished. But when we get it right, we're a good team."
England coach Steve Borthwick named his team on Tuesday, two days earlier than planned, as he prepares for a third successive tilt at the All Blacks.
England have a terrible record against them since chalking up back-to-back wins in 2002 and 2003. They have lost 17 of the 20 meetings since, with their only wins coming at Twickenham in 2012 and in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. They drew their last game at Twickenham in 2022.
The two games in July were close, and England led late on in both but went down 16-15 in Dunedin and 24-17 in Auckland.
New Zealand team to play England on Saturday
1. Tamaiti Williams (15 caps) 2. Codie Taylor (93) 3. Tyrel Lomax (40) 4. Scott Barrett (76) (Captain) 5. Tupou Vaa’i (34) 6. Wallace Sititi (6) 7. Sam Cane (101) 8. Ardie Savea (90) (Vice-Captain) 9. Cortez Ratima (8) 10. Beauden Barrett (131) 11. Caleb Clarke (25) 12. Jordie Barrett (65) (Vice-Captain) 13. Rieko Ioane (77) 14. Mark Tele’a (16) 15. Will Jordan (37)
Replacements:
16. Asafo Aumua (16) 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (64) 18. Pasilio Tosi (4) 19. Patrick Tuipulotu (47) 20. Samipeni Finau (5) 21. Cam Roigard (6) 22. Anton Lienert-Brown (80) 23. Damian McKenzie (57)
(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed Osmond)
